Eaves confident despite drawing the pole!

HEADING into a race with a last start winner which has drawn the pole would make most trainers happy.

Tasmanian horseman Dick Eaves, however, isn’t exactly oozing confidence despite being in that exact scenario.

Eaves will contest the second event on Sunday’s Launceston card with talented mare El Jays Mystery, which is fresh from her win at the same venue a fortnight ago.

And as you would have guessed, the daughter of Live Or Die will begin from barrier one.

Eaves’ concerns stem from El Jays Mystery’s gate speed, or lack thereof.

“The last time she draw the pole I reckon she was three or four back along inside and never really got a go at them,” Eaves said. “So there is a chance she will settle in a bad position again.

“She is getting better from the gate, but where she will end up, I couldn’t say.”

Despite his initial concern, Eaves is confident El Jays Mystery is capable of capturing the C1 Final.

“I’m more than happy with her,” Eaves said. “She is in great shape and ready to win.

“Now it’s a matter of what kind of run she gets.”

With the Granny Smith Series El Jays Mystery main target, Eaves will select suitable lead-up races for the four-year-old.

The Final of the Tasbred series is scheduled to be conducted at Launceston on May 4.

“At this stage she will just races through her classes,” Eaves said. “The Granny Smith is the priority with her, so I will base her program around that.”